In early January, the Trump Administration announced a new process to greatly expand offshore oil leasing in federal waters across the nation. This list included the Santa Barbara Channel, marking the first time the federal government has opened the California coast to new lease sales since 1984, when Ronald Reagan was president. This decision puts the coastal resources of California at risk of future oil spills and the damaging impacts of climate change.

The Environmental Defense Center (EDC), Sierra Club Los Padres Chapter, and Get Oil Out! (GOO!) will host a public meeting. The list of presenters is currently being formed and will be announced shortly but will include county, state, and federal elected officials along with the following: